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Monday Night Football brings a pivotal AFC East showdown between the Buffalo Bills (3-2) and the New York Jets (2-3) at MetLife Stadium. Both teams enter Week 6 looking to snap two-game losing streaks, and each is searching for answers after subpar performances in recent weeks.
The Bills are coming off a 23-20 loss to the Houston Texans, marked by poor clock management and missed opportunities in a game that ended on a last-second field goal. Meanwhile, the Jets return home from London after a 23-17 defeat to the Minnesota Vikings, which exposed their offensive inconsistencies.
With both teams struggling to find a rhythm, this matchup will be crucial for determining who can right the ship and stay in the hunt for a playoff spot.
Buffalo’s offense has been surprisingly sluggish over the last two weeks. Josh Allen, normally the engine of the Bills’ high-powered attack, has struggled mightily. He completed just 9 of 30 passes for 131 yards in the loss to Houston, a shocking drop-off from his usual standards. While Allen hasn’t thrown an interception this season, his decision-making and efficiency have been far from his best.
The Bills are dealt with a key injury at wide receiver, with Khalil Shakir sidelined in Week 5. Shakir’s absence has impacted Buffalo’s ability to find soft spots in opposing defenses, as his route-running and separation abilities have been missed. Without Shakir, the Bills’ passing attack has been less dynamic, and Allen has been forced into difficult situations, leading to inefficient outings.
Running back James Cook, however, has been a bright spot. He posted 82 rushing yards and a touchdown on 20 carries against Houston, providing a spark in the ground game. Cook’s versatility as both a runner and receiver out of the backfield will be critical against a Jets defense that has struggled against the run. If Buffalo can establish the run with Cook, it will open up opportunities for Allen to get back on track through the air.
The New York Jets offense has been inconsistent, and their Week 5 loss to Minnesota highlighted their struggles. Aaron Rodgers was forced to throw 54 passes and tossed 3 interceptions, while the rushing attack – featuring Braelon Allen and Breece Hall – was practically nonexistent. Hall and Allen combined for just 36 rushing yards, following a Week 4 performance where Hall was limited to 4 rushing yards against the Denver Broncos.
New York’s offense was built around a run-first philosophy, but their inability to execute on the ground has left them one-dimensional. Despite boasting a talented backfield, the Jets’ ground game has failed to deliver, forcing Rodgers into a pass-heavy approach that hasn’t yielded the desired results. In back-to-back weeks, the Jets have scored fewer than 20 points, and their inability to control the tempo has put pressure on their defense.
For New York to succeed against the Bills, they must re-establish their ground game. Breece Hall, in particular, has the talent to take over a game, but he needs better blocking up front and a more favorable game script. With Rodgers nursing a lower ankle sprain, relying on the run game could also help take pressure off their quarterback and limit the risk of turnovers.
The Bills and Jets boast strong pass defenses but have shown vulnerabilities against the run. Despite welcoming back linebacker Terrel Bernard, the Bills have been exposed in the middle of the field by more talented backfields. In their loss to Houston, Buffalo allowed 425 yards of total offense, with much of the damage coming on the ground. While the Jets’ running backs have struggled recently, they could find more success against a Bills defense that has had trouble stopping the run.
The Jets defense has also been solid in pass coverage but has shown similar struggles against the run. In Week 5, they allowed the Vikings to dictate the pace on the ground, something they’ll need to address against the Bills. If James Cook can find success early, it could put the Jets in a difficult position defensively.
For the Bills, the key will be getting Josh Allen back into a rhythm. If they can balance the attack by leaning on Cook in the run game and taking advantage of play-action opportunities, the offense should regain its footing. Buffalo’s defense will also need to tighten up against the run, as they face a Jets team that will be desperate to get Breece Hall and Braelon Allen going.
For the Jets, it’s all about finding offensive balance. If they can establish the run and take some pressure off Rodgers, they’ll have a chance to control the clock and keep the Bills’ offense off the field. Defensively, they’ll need to force Allen into tough situations and limit the big play potential of Buffalo’s offense.
Both defenses limit the passing game, with Buffalo coming out on top in a low-scoring affair. Expect James Cook to have a key role on the ground, while the Jets offense remains sluggish despite playing at home.
Zach has been a published sports writer since 2018 specializing in college football & basketball, MLB and NFL content for multiple publications.